Natural Elegance: Designing an Inviting Outdoor Bathroom

An outdoor bathroom is an intriguing, highly sensual experience. While it provides for the necessities, it creates a stunning, intimate experience that’s quite like no other. As an interior designer, you may be tasked with creating such a space. Blending the necessary functional (and building requirements) into an outdoor space like this while also achieving the aesthetics you desire isn’t simplistic.

Learn how to design an outdoor bathroom that’s nothing short of fabulous. The best way to create a new space is to explore those already in existence and pull in inspiration to create the ideal outdoor spot for your client.

Explore the Outdoor Bathroom Destinations Around the World, Captivating Travellers

For some, the promise of a garden bathroom is enough to encourage them to book a trip. That’s why these destinations have created some outstanding experiences that are perfect for those who want to enjoy nature to its fullest.

The Maritime Hotel in New York City

Make a trip to New York City and enjoy the metropolitan outdoor shower. While this unique experience certainly doesn’t bring the urban feel into the space, it does incorporate a very uniquely themed, beautiful space.

The Maritime Hotel, which was designed by Albert Ledner and noted for studying under Frank Lloyd Wright, built this property to have a maritime theme. You’ll notice it in the white-tailed patios and the luxurious ship-themed interior (more Titanic than today’s cruise ship, though).

What it also offers is an outdoor shower, right there, overlooking the Hudson River. It’s not easily accessible and there’s ample privacy, but there may not be enough outdoor shower like this anywhere.

Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico

Consider a garden bathroom and shower in a rainforest for a very different experience. The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico is much different than others. With its beautiful  exterior surrounded by beaches and the El Yunque National Rain Forest nearby, makes this location highly intriguing.

It’s located in the Old San Juan area. The outdoor showers provide tall walls to create privacy, all made of natural stone with ornate details on them. Almost shrine-like, the hot, sticky air washes away under the soft flow of this outdoor shower. Quite the simplistic and stunning experience, it was designed to be anything but lavish (though the rest of the restore certainly is).

Hotel Azucar in Veracruz, Mexico

The stunning architecture of Hotel Azucar is enough to want to spend time here, but its outdoor showers are perhaps some of the most notable in the region. Simple and designed with a rain shower overhead, it creates a simplistic, relaxing, and calming experience like no other. There is a strikingly simple look to this novel design, and it is certainly rather efficient. Yet, it is also practical.

Since the hotel is just steps from the beach, guests can rinse off the sand from their day of play before heading up to the beach retreat for drinks and palm tree relaxation.

Photo by Serene Arches

How to Design an Outdoor Bathroom That’s Truly Captivating

An outdoor spa with sauna, a simple rain-like showerhead, a lavish bath overlooking the ocean, these are just some of the ways to create an outdoor bathroom that turns heads and captures attention. This fabulous idea starts with the most basic of goals: determine the feel of the space you with to create.

Typically, the value of an outdoor bathroom comes from the ability to surround yourself with nature while meeting physical needs. However, how you create this can differ in many ways. Take the aesthetics themselves. Consider a few different strategies to build an outdoor space that is desirable and meets the goal you are after.

Indoor and Outdoor Combination

Photo by NELbali Photography

One of the trends today is to have an open floor plan, and that does not mean just within the home or space. Rather, providing a simple, open entrance from the bathroom to an exterior shower or soaking tub can be a rather enjoyable option. It allows nature to come into the home easily. Well-placed walls afford the necessary privacy, but the open sky roof and natural interior make this outdoor shower style much like a patio that also has bathroom features.

Rustic Charm Works Well

For some spaces, a more rustic charm is desirable. Here, the goal is not to add luxury with refined marble and glass but instead to incorporate wood, simple fixtures, and natural tones.

Timber is the ideal choice for this type of environment because it provides an exceptional material for moisture protection but still provides that level of rustic feel that is so desirable. A built-in shower nestled against the side of a cabin wall, perhaps high up in the mountains, can allow anyone to feel right at home with nature. Simplistic flooring, perhaps a door or screen for privacy, and a simplistic layout make this a very desirable space.

Outdoor Soaking Tubs

Photo by Romeo A

A luxury estate built some distance from the rest of the busy world creates an opportunity to incorporate an outdoor relaxation area. Perhaps an outdoor spa with a sauna or a simple outdoor soaking tub is all that is necessary here. Consider the inclusion of high walls for privacy, an open roof, a tiled floor, and nothing but beautiful flowers and trees to surround the individual.

A large soaking tub like this can easily be added to a balcony or patio already in place with the right fixtures established. Keep it simple without a lot of details. Instead, just the tub, the open air, and the lavish feel of sensual nature surrounding a person can create a fabulous experience.

Let Nature Provide the Privacy

Another component of an outdoor bathroom design is the element of privacy. In many other examples, the goal has been to use high walls to block out intrusive eyes. An alternative here could be to use natural elements to do the same.

Numerous methods exist to enable this type of design. Tall hedges are the most simplistic of options, especially those that are rather dense. Other strategies include tall trees with ample foliage or introducing plants that offer a wide base and dense interior.

Keep in mind that the use of natural materials like this can be challenging due to the need to balance maintenance and year-round access. However, a spa or sauna set deep into a wooded area could easily be surrounded with beautiful natural elements to create a true outdoor bathroom.

Fencing In the Space

Another interesting route to take for some spaces may be to create a true outdoor bathroom surrounded by a fence, such as a white picket fence. Open the gate and walk into an outdoor bathroom, complete with all of the functional needs of a restroom (from toilet to sink and shower).

This particular style offers a unique rustic charm and an interesting design. It can work well outside of a resident's home, perhaps on a lake house property where taking a break in the middle of a long day relaxing on the lake is in order. Designers may wish to add as much luxury as desired or choose to keep it rather simplistic and functional. Often, it is that simplistic feel that makes an outdoor bathroom so desirable.

Rooftop Outdoor Bathrooms

If there is no room to extend outward, consider a rooftop shower, spa, or sauna. Whether in a remote area or a fabulous space in an urban district, this type of experience and be a powerful, sensual one. Here, spend the time to create a lavish space with details like fine natural stone, exceptional fixtures, and large, beautiful tubs.

Also, consider this the ideal place for more than just a shower but an entire luxurious bath space. Incorporate a fire table, beautiful lighting for a relaxing and intimate experience, and lavish outdoor furniture. A romantic getaway or a sophisticated experience that allows people to feel as if they are on top of the world can be an exceptional experience. Ample privacy is easy enough to incorporate with screens and properly positioned natural elements. There may not be anything better than the view of the city surrounded by the luxuriousness of a lavish outdoor bath.

Practical Spaces May Be Possible Options

While many of the outdoor showers discussed thus far are focused on lavish features and elegant refinement, that does not have to be the case. Consider simplistic design. Choose spaces in a nook on a rooftop. Consider a showerhead jutting from the side wall of a rooftop terrace. Simple and functional, it makes for a beautiful way to rinse off under the stars.

Simplistic design is often an attractive option for today’s minimalist. With more people than ever incorporating a design that is clean and limited in décor elements. This type of space may be ideal for a backyard or even along a roofline where there is an opportunity to step outdoors.

These are just some of the most interesting of options when it comes to outdoor garden bathrooms. The only limitations is on your design. Explore the wide range of opportunities available around the world. Incorporate style, character, and nature to the level desired. Or, simply build an exterior space with the level of privacy desired. Keep the walls open. Allow the natural flow of air to move into the bathroom space. Tucked into the home or hotel, it provides enough privacy with ample luxury.

An outdoor space with a sauna is just one option. For many, it is in the simple design of a space like this that true relaxation can happen.

Photo by Alexander Davies

Mixing Elements Creates a Stunning Experience

One of the best elements of a garden bathroom is the ability to transform this space with ease. Incorporate virtually anything. Mix metals and tile for a modern twist. Incorporate a fountain into the side wall. That creates the beautiful and natural relaxation of moving water. Add in natural stone for a more rustic feel or lavish marble for elegance and elevation of style.

The key to remember is that it can be anything desired. Perhaps consider something a bit more outrageous for the eclectic personality, such as a three-walled exterior room with brightly coloured tiles, a large tub, and simple lighting. Alternatively, an outdoor bathroom could be a simple corner dedicated to the necessary features tucked into a backyard oasis.